June 14

St. Germain

By Miista Blogs

Many artists produce under pseudonyms, but Frenchman, Ludovic Navarre, a.k.a. St. Germain, Deepside, LN'S, Modus Vivendi, Nuages, or Soofle, is believed to have mastered the art of an alias. However, his latest release, St. Germain (available as of 9 October 2015) has made St. Germain the man of the hour. With Malian influences and the smooth hybridity of jazz, kora, bongos, and desert vocals, his latest album is a new breed of eclectic sound.

Though he jumped from label to label, there is always a continuity of fusing jazz, downtempo, and deep house within each of his songs. After being under the radar for fifteen years, since Tourist in 2000, which was characterised as "a synthesis of electronics with jazz soloing," St. Germain is a beautiful comeback to the music scene. "Real Blues" went live in May of this year, and we couldn't wait to hear the remainder of the album.

Laura Villasenin describes this album as the soundtrack to the AW15 Collection, Tephra. As inspired similar natural wonders, St. Germain's music goes hand in hand with Miista's fall/winter aesthetic.

"Sitting Here" and "How Dare You" are the more electronic of the lineup. With a housey tempos and deep undertones, they channel the pattern Ludovic's main inspiration: desert sand. "Hanky Panky," "Family Tree," and "Mary L" are true Malian lounge jazz. Melodic and low-tempo, these two tracks are the smooth sailors of the tracklist. "Real Blues" and "Forget Me Not" will make you sway to the beat in your seat; the essence of this beautiful genre Ludovic Navarre has pioneered.

The guest appearances on the album: Brazilian percussionist, Jorge Bezerra, Martinique born, Didier Davidas, a veteran collaborator, and Malian kora player, Mamadou Cherif Soumano and guitarists/n'goni player Guimba Kouyate - all of whom will make appearances through St. Germain's fall/winter tour.

His first stop is Belgrade on the 02 November and he'll pass through Budapest, Warsaw, Utrecht, Brussels, Paris, Zurich, Lausanne, London, Lyon, Milan, Vienna, Madrid, Barcelona.